The day is short and there is a great deal of work; the laborers are lazy but the reward is great and the Master is pressing. (Pirkei Avot 2: 15)
A modern American proverb would have us believe that “Time is Money.” This ancient Jewish parable from Pirkei Avot tells us that time is infinitely more precious than money: Time is life. Life is so short and there is so much to do; it’s so easy to procrastinate, but when we use our time well, we accomplish so much.
Being human means living in time and with awareness that time is passing as we live. To get the most from life, we need to put first things first. For most of us, the top priority is our families. And, I would maintain, that as we gain in wisdom, our sense of 'family' can be markedly expanded as our concerns and caring can reach well beyond our biological families. It’s always the right time to become a Green Bubbie, to spend time building new connections, and on the relationships that we already cherish, to actively pursue a spiritual path, to learn in new ways, to live passionately each day. To make a difference. To make ourselves more vibrant, vital, and compassionate. If not now, when?
